Kids & Horses host dementia workshops

In 1999, local businessman Sam Waldman and his wife Lorri turned their Double W Ranch in Minden into a center that utilized horses to help promote the physical and mental well-being of people with disabilities. Through the years, the Kids & Horses Therapeutic Center founded by the Waldmans has grown to offer comprehensive equine-assisted therapies that include adaptive riding; life skills classes; and physical, occupational, and speech therapy (kidsandhorses.org).

A premier Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International-accredited facility, Kids & Horses also partners with the Connected Horse program to offer free workshops to individuals affected by memory changes or early stage dementia and those who provide them with support and care.

Established in 2015, the Connected Horse program is based on research conducted at Stanford University and the University of California-Davis, which “measured the effectiveness of equine-guided workshops on stress reduction and quality of life indicators for people with early stage dementia and their care partners” (connectedhorse.com).

Building positive connections with horses can benefit participants in a number of significant ways. These include experiencing mindfulness and greater awareness of the present moment, a reduction in feelings of depression or anxiety, improvement in sleep quality, and learning creative approaches to help reduce stress.

In the workshops, communication between participants and the horses is fostered in ways that go beyond the spoken word. The Connected Horse website says, “The human-horse connection is especially powerful as [the horse’s] behaviors often reflect the energy or emotions of the participants. Their responses can lead to deeper understanding and self-compassion.”

Program participants do not need to have any prior experience working with horses; all interactions are from the ground and no riding is involved. Attendees must be ambulatory and willing to participate with their workshop leaders and care partners.

Two separate spring workshop sessions are being offered; both sessions are on consecutive Saturdays from 9-11:30 a.m. Session one takes place April 22, April 29, and May 6; session two is scheduled for June 3, June 10, and June 17.

Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Participants must also schedule an initial onsite orientation and paperwork appointment prior to the start of the first lesson.

Kids & Horses Program Director Cat O’Brien is a PATH-certified instructor and facilitator for the upcoming workshops. She said potential participants are welcome to visit the therapeutic center to familiarize themselves with the ranch and get a general idea as to what the program entails. Calling to schedule an appointment prior to the start of the first class can make for a more comfortable workshop experience.

There is no fee to participate in the Connected Horse workshop, but donations are gratefully accepted. Kids & Horses and Connected Horse are both 501(c)3 non-profit organizations funded by grants and donations.

These upcoming Connected Horse workshops will take place at the Kids & Horses Therapeutic Center, 2869 Esaw St. in Minden. For more information or to register, call the barn at 775-267-1775 or reach out to O’Brien at 775-720-8614.

Kids & Horses’ partnership with Connected Horse was recently featured in an article titled, “Path Finders,” written by Pat Raia and published in the November-December 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine (horseillustrated.com).

Amy Roby can be reached at ranchosroundup@hotmail.com.